b'LUKE TURNERAlthough Luke Turner, inventory control manager/sales at Turner Seed, was indoctrinated at a young age working with his father, Darcy Turner, at Turner Seed, he was still encouraged to follow his own path.I remember being in grade school, and my mom enrolled me in a professional tutoring program for some help with writing, Turner says. The program manager was interviewing me and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and was very concerned when I told him I wanted to be a professional skateboarder.And while that wasnt the profession he fell into, Turner did say that it took him his entire undergraduate career plus his masters career before deciding to head back to working at Turner Seed.At Turner Seeds, Turner mentions he has the ability to wear a lot of different hats, but he fell into enjoying sales.We have an established culture of talking customers out of a purchase, he says. If it is not time to plant or the seed doesnt fit the situation, we try to dissuade the sale. That environment makes selling a lot of fun and rewarding, because youre getting to engage with customers honestly and earnestly.In particular, Turner really enjoys working with wildflowers in their portfolio.We grow some of the flowers we sell on site in Breckenridge, he says. Its really cool to have a solid field of flowers and have customers ask about them when they come to pick up seed.One thing Turner appreciates about the seed industry? Working with others and the way hes treated.The integrity of the seed industry as a whole is above par, he says. Most of us are in this for the long haul, so incentives are in line to follow the Golden Rule when working with others. It really feels like everyone wants everyone to succeed.PAMELA CALVO-VELEZScience has always been a love for Pamela Calvo-Velez, global and U.S. R&D fungicide and biologicals seed treatment lead at BASF. And clearly, with more than 1,500 citations from her peer-reviewed articles, its something shes good at as well.Ive always enjoyed being able to answer fundamental questions through experimentation, Calvo-Velez says. However, although she knew she wanted to be a scientist, it took Calvo-Velez some time to discover specifically what kind of scientist to become. After pursuing her bachelors degree in biology and seeing the different fields, she realized that that specializing in microbiology and agriculture was the way to go. Her first step into the seed industry was while working at the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, but her complete dive into the industry didnt happen until she was completing her PhD at Auburn. I was fascinated by the potential of the products applied on seed, Calvo-Velez says. I realized theres important research done by the seed industry, and thats how I landed where I am today.One unique thing about Calvo-Velez is that shes had the ability to work internationally for a long time. In my current global role at BASF, I am exposed to different cultures get to hear the challenges that different regions face around agriculture, Calvo-Velez says. It has been an excellent experience to me.However, the Peruvian Andes will always hold a special place in Calvo-Velezs heart, because its where her passion started. In her daily life, Calvo-Velez tries to incorporate mindfulness and meditation. Im an advocate of preventative health, so I love reading any book, podcast or article I can find, she says. From how to incorporate good nutrition to finding ways to lower stressits all interesting.JUNE 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /51'